Pandesara weaving park lies in tatters

Non-allotment of land by Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation delays project

The proposed high-tech weaving park at Pandesara, to be set up by the Pandesara Industrial Co-operative Society, is yet to take wings because of non-allotment of land by the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC).

"We had sent a proposal to the state government for allotting 40 acre for the weaving park in Pandesara in July 2003. More than 16 months have passed by, but nothing has happened in this regard," a member of the Pandesara Industrial Co-operative Society said.

"Initially we had sought the land at token rates. Since there was no response from GIDC, we offered to pay a higher price. We have held several meetings with GIDC officials, and they have even inspected the proposed site many times. The only thing we have received so far is assurances," he said.

"State principal secretary D Rajagopalan has also given us assurances, but he is yet to follow it up," he said. Ironically, the Maharashtra government had invited members of the co-operative society to set up units in the high-tech weaving park which it plans to develop in the Nandurbar district.

"While the Maharashtra government is inviting us for setting up units, our own government seems determined to harass us. Though shifting of the park to Maharashtra would be beneficial for us, we have not done so because we are from Gujarat and we want the state to avail of the benefits of any development," another member of the Pandesara society said.

According to estimates of the Pandesara co-operative society, the project would cost approximately Rs 300-350 crore, and will be completed in two years.

"The Central government has also evinced interest in the weaving park. The Centre has written to the state government to encourage development of such projects, but for reasons best known to it, the state has acted in a totally indifferent manner," he said.

"We are interested in the development of the weaving industry. We realise that in the wake of globalisation, tough times lay in store for us. Projects such as the high-tech weaving park will strengthen industries, and we just hope the state government understands this," he said.

The Pandesara Industrial Co-operative's plan to develop the weaving park comes under the Central-government sponsored Group Workshed Scheme for the decentralised powerloom industry. The Centre is also providing up to 25 per cent subsidy under the scheme.

The main aim of developing such weaving parks is to provide improved working conditions in terms of more space, facilitate installation of larger and improved looms of better technology, better working environment and improved work efficiency.

Under the proposal, 70 weaving units would be developed at the Pandesara park. It would also be equipped with worldclass infrastructure, including power project, laboratory and work shop, conference hall, four-lane roads, yarn depot building, water supply and drainage facilities and an electric substation.